REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio – A third 20-person Ohio Wildfire Crew was deployed out West this week to assist in fighting against the multiple wildfires in that part of the nation. Two crews and more than 45 firefighters have already spent more than two weeks assisting fire crews in the dangerous drought conditions present in the western United States.

“Ohio’s wildfire crews are well-prepared for these dangerous assignments and excel at working to protect people and property from these raging fires,” said Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Deputy Director and State Forester Robert Boyles. “We are prepared to continue offering our support, and our trained Ohio firefighters continue to volunteer to travel and help combat this ongoing natural disaster.”

Ohio’s first fire-fighting crew for this season served in northern California at the Forks Complex in the Shasta Trinity National Forest. The second Ohio Wildfire Crew worked in the state of Oregon at the Stouts Creek Fire and then at the Bear Gulch Spike Camp at the Canyon Creek Complex in Malheur National Forest. The third crew currently deployed is fighting the Bear Fire at the Gasquet Complex in Six Rivers National Forest in northern California.

The ODNR Division of Forestry keeps a list of trained and qualified Ohio firefighters who have indicated their willingness to travel out of state to fight wildfires. When significant wildfire activity occurs in other states, ODNR activates crews to send to those fires to protect people and property. Ohio firefighters are well-prepared to continue supporting the firefighting efforts out West.